5 Major Pre-Fall Trends You Can Look Forward To Now

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Fall is a long way off (we're just barely half-way through winter!), but the Pre-Fall collections have got us so geeked, we were inspired to do a little trend spotting. For the gal who likes to prepare, here are five key trends to keep in mind for next season.—Jihan Forbes

Long Leather Gloves
Today's cell phone-tapping, crazy nail art-donning woman is a far cry from the Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O types of your mother (or grandmother's!) days. Designers seem to have nostalgia for the woman of yesteryear, who was never seen in polite company without her good gloves. Lanvin, Gucci, Michael Kors, and more all outfitted their models with long leather gloves—and we'll be the first to admit. We're kind of excited to try this trend ourselves!

Lots of Mixed and Textured Prints
Spring 2013 took a surprise turn for the monochromatic, with several designers offering black and white looks for a season usually marked by colorful hues. But it seems Pre-Fall will usher in the return of print mixing. Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, and Prabal Gurung (just to name a few,) offered a host of textured prints sure to make your inner Solange Knowles squeal with delight.

Animalia
Designers welcome the return of the fall staple reimagining giraffe, zebra, and leopard prints in a range of textures. We even saw fur patchworked together to create a new species (if you will) of animal skin. Take cues from Gucci, Burberry Prorsum, Lanvin, and 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Leather
Keep all those leather (or leather look) pieces you bought for spring (spring!). It looks as if the trend is here to stay, with Narciso Rodriguez, Yigal Azrouël, and Jason Wu offering all-leather items and pieces festooned with leather detailing.

The Reimagined Suit
Suiting separates are a staple for the fall season, but as they are wont to do, designers update the classic to keep insatiable stylistas satisfied. From the regal sashes Raf Simons showed at Dior, to the modern Mayflower chic vibes Phoebe Philo served up at Céline, designers are giving us new and exciting ways to rock a suit.
· Trend Report: More Pleats, Please [Racked]